February 12, 2026

#hakinakina: Secondary Schools Netball Trialists Named for Big Year Ahead

Matthew Tukaki Posted On February 12, 2026

A new wave of emerging talent is stepping forward, with 24 secondary school players confirmed as trialists for the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) netball team.

The trialists were announced by Netball New Zealand, with Emerging Talent Selectors and NZSS head coach Jo Morrison confirming the group who will trial in Auckland from April 17-18.

Morrison said this year’s campaign marks an important step in the development of the country’s top young players.

“This is largely a new group of players who are taking their first steps into Netball New Zealand’s Player Pathway. It is fantastic that this year the NZSS team will travel to Australia in the first week of the July school holidays, where they will be involved in the Under-17 Australian camp, providing some vital international play,” she said.

The selected team will head across the Tasman during the July break, gaining invaluable experience against Australian opposition – an opportunity seen as crucial for preparing future elite athletes.

The NZSS team first took the court in 2001 and remains the pinnacle for secondary school players across Aotearoa. For many, it is the first formal step into the national performance pathway.

Morrison, who will be assisted by Ngarama Milner-Olsen, said the two-day trial will include fitness testing, specialist skill sessions, and match play – a step up from January’s National Development Camps, where 90 players were initially identified.

“The NZSS team holds a special place in New Zealand netball history. We can’t wait to see what these athletes will bring to the trials in what will be a good look into the future of our game in New Zealand,” she said.

Final selections will be based on observations from the Emerging Talent Panel and NZSS coaching staff during the Auckland trials.

2026 NZSS Trialists

Northern

Anne-Theresa Napara-Williams – Mt Albert Grammar School
Aria Gardiner – Mt Albert Grammar School
Bella Gardiner – Mt Albert Grammar School
Bella Neru – Pukekohe High School
Grace Giles – Rangitoto College
Imani Rasmussen – Westlake Girls High School
Leira Wharewaka-Vai – St Dominic’s College
Tayla-Rose Mose – Mt Albert Grammar School

Waikato/Bay of Plenty (WBOP)

Ariana Dawson – Whakatane High School
Caitlin Gabel – Ngā Taiātea Wharekura
Kiaarah Wilson – Hamilton Girls’ High School

Central

Destiny Aleka – Scots College
Emily Crowther – Napier Girls’ High School
Fo’i Lemana – St Mary’s College, Wellington
Lucy Trenberth – Queen Margaret College
Maggie Shields – Wairarapa College
Te Ao Rangi Tawhara – Wellington East Girls’ College
Zoe Jacob – Scots College

South

Charlee Farquhar – St Hilda’s Collegiate
Hazel Mason – Twizel Area School
Kiana Brown – Columba College
Ruby Hore – St Hilda’s Collegiate
Shanti Kara – Columba College

Mainland

Tatiana Makea – St Margaret’s College

With representation spanning Tāmaki Makaurau to Otago and Te Moana-a-Toi to Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the list reflects the depth of talent developing through secondary school netball.

For whānau, schools and communities, the April trials will offer an early glimpse of the next generation of players who could one day wear the Silver Fern.